Yumi Zouma returns with a wonderful self affirmative shot of their new single ‘Give It Hell’, this chiming heavenly, weightless soundscape is infused with Christie Simpson’s vocals that are equal parts comforting and enveloping and uplifting. Rippling with chiming guitars and gleaming keyboard lines and sparse percussion, it’s like the glacial meeting point between mid-period New Order and the soaring dreamy pop choruses of M83, it’s an infectious life-affirming cut that taps you on the shoulder and urges you to push through self-doubt and hopelessness and seize the moment. In fact, it’s so good and the words are so helpful, we have made an exception and their lyric video is our video of the week.
Inspired by the first and final stop of the band’s sold-out Truth or Consequences (third LP) US tour in March 2020, guitarist/vocalist Josh Burgess explained:
“Before we went on stage for the only show we would play on our sold-out 2020 US tour, we held each other tight, and fighting back the tears, someone said ‘let’s give it Hell tonight’. The next day, ‘Truth Or Consequences’ was released. We drove to New York, took some photos, and dispersed back to our homes in the US, UK, and New Zealand. We haven’t been in the same room since.”
To ‘give it Hell’ is one of the strongest ways to stay present. Throwing yourself entirely into something, knowing it’s all you can give – it can be equal parts rewarding and humbling.
This song encapsulates us digging deep, pushing through self-doubt, and being grateful for the purpose and process of making music together. Especially when it’s hard and feels futile. In the spirit of staying present, we wanted to release this song NOW, and not wait for any other moment than this one.”
Originally created as a long-distance project between friends online, Yumi Zouma is a collaboration drawn from around the world, with members based in London, New York City and their home of New Zealand.
The self-produced four-piece have since honed their craft through a series of rich, alt-pop tapestries, created by way of emailed home recordings and resulting in vivid records such as 2020 full-length Truth or Consequences.
Mixed by Ash Workman (Christine & The Queens, Metronomy) and mastered by Grammy Award-winning engineer Antoine “Chab” Chabert (Air, Daft Punk), Yumi Zouma’s ‘Give It Hell’ is out September 7th via Polyvinyl and will be available on all digital platforms.
2022 Live Dates
17th Mar – The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham
18th Mar – Lafayette, London
19th Mar – YES, Manchester
21st Mar – Whelan’s, Dublin
22nd Mar – King Tut’s, Glasgow
24th Mar – Le Hasard Ludique, Paris
25th Mar – Botanique, Brussels
27th Mar – Melkweg, Amsterdam
28th Mar – Turmzimmer, Hamburg
29th Mar – Ideal Bar Vega, Copenhagen
31st Mar – Obaren, Stockholm
1st Apr – Krxsset, Oslo
3rd Apr – Burg Schnabel, Berlin
4th Apr – Praga Centrum, Warsaw
Photo Credit: Nick Grennon